Batman Just Confronted His Parents’ Killer and It Look’s Like the Joker’s Back From the Dead in Justice League: Darkseid War

A lot of big things are happening in the DC Universe right now, not the least of which is Geoff Johns' current Justice League arc entitled 'Darkseid War.' So far it's been extremely eventful, with Mister Miracle joining the team and the near omnipotent Darkseid biting the dust. One of the most interesting things to happen throughout the arc, however, is the forces that have taken control of certain members of the League.

For instance, Lex Luthor was hit with Darkseid's Omega Effect following the god's death, and as a result, he has apparently become the new lord of Apokolips. Likewise, Superman fell into a fire pit on Darkseid's home planet, making him nearly uncontrollable. Just as well, the Black Racer has possessed Flash, and Batman now sits upon the Mobius chair, giving him near infinite knowledge. These interesting circumstances have started a wave of Justice League one shots, each focusing on one member of the team and how the events of Darkseid War have so radically changed how the game is played for them.

The first issue dealt with Batman and how sitting on the Mobius chair has altered how he fights crime in Gotham. Knowing the future, he's now able to predict when crime will happen and stop it in its tracks. Though this is exactly what Batman has always wanted, it's taking a physical toll on his body, with the chair seemingly draining away his strength. Likewise, neither Commissioner Gordon nor Alfred like this new, all-knowing yet delusional 'Batgod,' and its clear that the Mobius chair is not the gift that Batman thinks it is.

Nevertheless, Batman eventually uses this newfound power in a personal way when he decides to visit the prison cell of Joe Chill, the man who murdered his parents. After interrogating the unrepentant criminal and taking him back to the scene of the crime, Batman lets loose of his rage like he never has before. He threatens Joe Chill by revealing his identity to him and saying that he'll spread the news within the prison that 'Joe Chill created the Batman.' Of course, he puts the cowl back on, wipes Chill's memory using the Mobius chair, and heads back to the Bat Cave soon after. This was an intensely emotional scene, as it dealt with how much the death of Bruce's parents still affects and fuels the Batman. Yet Batman went even further when he decided his next task was taking on the Joker, which is HUGE news in the world of comics.

The last fans saw of the Joker, he was lying dead beside Batman at the end of Scott Snyder's 'Endgame' arc. Bruce has since come back (but has no memory of who he was before Endgame), but there's still no news concerning the fate of the Joker. Of course, this is comics, and no one seems to stay dead for long. Everyone knew it was only a matter of time before the Joker was brought back into the mix. What's interesting, however, is that when Bruce pulls up his Joker files on the Bat computer, several pictures can be seen, each of which are essentially recreations of the most famous Joker images of all time. One of them is Capullo's Batman #40 cover, which features the Joker holding his dead skin mask. This confirms that Darkseid War is taking place sometime in the future, after Bruce Wayne gets his memory back. What's unclear is whether or not Darkseid War is taking place before or after the Joker's return as well. It's probable that the arc is picking up at a non-specific point in the future in which the Joker has already returned, allowing the writers of the main Batman title to tell the story of the Clown Prince's return at a later time. However, there's also a slight possibility that 'Darkseid War' itself will actually feature the return of the Harlequin of Hate.

There are definitely big things going down in Justice League right now, so the rest of 'Darkseid War' simply cannot be missed. Johns is telling a truly epic story, and it's never been clearer than now that he has some really massive plans for the finale.

Next week's one shots feature Superman and the Flash, so make sure to head on down to the local comic store and check them out. And of course, make sure to pick up a copy of Justice League #46 when it drops in November.